Gravity-latch.



No. 759,580. PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.

- 0. H. WILSON.

GRAVITY LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23, 1904. N0 MODEL.

L///'. n 81 mm W" Qwi'wwooea l I UNITED STATES Patented May 10, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES HENRY WILSON, OF BRIDGEPORT, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO EMERY ALBERTSON, OF BRIDGEPORT, INDIANA.

GRAVITY-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,580, dated May 10, 1904.

' Application filed February 23, 1904. Serial No. 194,819. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HENRY WIL- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gravity-Latches; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to gravity-latches, and has for its object to provide a combined latch and lock which is operated by gravity.

With this object in View my invention consists in providing a novel guide in the casing of the look within which the latch-bolt slides and Within which the gravity-tumbler operates.

My invention also consists in certain other novel features of construction and in combination of parts, which will be first fully described and afterward specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the lock and latch with the outer casing removed, showing the latch-bolt entirely within the latch-casing in full lines and in normal position in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the gravity-tumbler in engagement with the latchbolt and locking the same. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the casing with the internal parts removed. Fig. 4 is a similar View of the cover of the casing, and Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section taken through the latch on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the casing on line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Like characters of reference indicate the same parts throughout the several figures, in which- 1 is the casing, and 2 is the outer cover thereof. The inner side of the casing 1 is provided with a small boss 3, and the inner side of the casing-cover 2 is provided with a similar boss 4, said bosses being located exactly opposite each other, as shown in Fig. 5. The weighted lever 6, which operates the latchbolt, is pivoted within the casing on said bosses 3 and 4, as shown in Fig. 5, and a leaf-spring 6 is secured in the casing and exerts a downward pressure on the weighted lever 6.

5 indicates an opening in said casing, and 6 indicates a similar opening in the casing-cover, said openings being directly opposite each other and which form a bearing for the doubleknob lever 7, which lever is provided with oppositely-arranged arms 8' and 9, which arms engage the portions 10 and 11 of the weighted lever 6 to actuate said lever, as shown in Fig. 1. V

In Fig. 6 I show asmall pin 6 passing into the casing at the point A, which is directly above the end of the weighted lever 6, so that by pressing said pin in, as, shown in Fig. 6,

the weighted lever is locked, which effectually locks the latch-bolt. This construction is of course not employed when the device is used as a mortise-lock.

12 indicates the upper wall, which forms the guide 13, said wall extending horizontally to the point 14, where it is curved up and around to the point 15.

16 indicates the lower wall, which extends horizontally to the point 17, where it extends up and around in a curve to the point 18, the wall 19 connecting the said walls 12 and 16 at the points 18 and 15. The cover 2 is provided with identical walls 12 and 16", as shown in Fig. 2, and directly under the curved portion of the wall 16 is an opening 20 for a key.

21 indicates the latch-bolt, which is adapted to operate in said slideway 13 between the walls 12 and 16 and 12 and 16. Said latchbolt is provided with an opening 22, as shown in Fig. 1 and in section in Fig. 5. The weighted lever 61s provided with a rounded end 23, as shown in Fig. 1 and in section in Fig. 5, said rounded end being adapted to enter the opening 22 in the latch-bolt, the rounded construction obviating any play or lost motion between the weighted lever 6 and the latchbolt 21.

2 1 indicates the gravity-locking tumbler,

which is adapted to operate within the slide- Way 13 between the curved portion of the walls 12 and 16 and 12 and 16'. Said tumbler is curved on its upper edge to conform to the curve of the walls 12 and 12, and the lower edge of said locking-dog is provided with a notch 25, within which the key enters.

In Fig. 1 I show the gravity-tumbler out of engagement with the latch-bolt and held by gravity at the inner end of the slideway 13, allowing the latch-bolt free play within the horizontal portion of the slideway 13.

In Fig. 2 I show the gravity-tumbler held by gravity at the forward end of the curved portion of the slideway and directly in engagement with the latch-bolt 21. It will be noted from Figs. 1 and 2 that the point 17 of the lower walls 16, at which point said wall starts to curve, acts as a stop to limit the inward movement of the latch-bolt, and it will be noted by referring to Fig. 2 that the said point 17 acts a stop or bearing, upon which the gravity-tumbler bears when in engagement with the latch-bolt to hold said latchbolt in a locked position.

It is particularly in the novel construction of this guideway that my invention consists, which novel construction allows for a very simple and inexpensive arrangement for locking the latch-bolt and for guiding the latchbolt and the gravity-tumbler.

iVhile I have illustrated and described the very simplest gravity-locking tumbler, I wish it to be understood that it is my intention to so construct said gravity-locking tumbler and by means of bosses arranged in diflerent combinations to allow for the use of different keys; but in this regard I have of course claimed no invention. It is furthermore apparent that my latch and lock is positively reversible and can be used either as a mortise-lock or otherwise.

Having thus described myinvention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the specific construction as herein set forth, as various slight changes may be made therein which would fall within the limit and scope of my invention, and I consider myself as clearly entitled to all such changes and modifications.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

the curved portion of the guideway, as set.

forth.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES HENRY WILSON.

Vitnesses:

G. SANDERS, CLIFFORD ANDREWS. 

